Moving-picture machine.



D. 0. SEAMAN.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 050.9,191/4.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

D. 0. SEAMAN.

MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

APPLICATION man 050.9, 1914.

Patented FGI). 22, 1916.

3 SHEETS-sneu 2 @illnesses fwemfor QW @JWM 5y @LM-7 s e. o.. SEAMAN. MOVING PICTURE MACHINE.

l APPLICATION FILED DEC.9, 1914.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

3 SHEETS SHEET 3.

ZO/fwsses Enel/dbf.

)40% MW y 2 wm W UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DELBERT O. SEAMAN, OF DES MOINES, IOWA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO C. T. SMITH, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

MOVING-PICTURE MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 22, 1916.

To all 'whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, DELBERT O. SEAMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Des Moines, county ofPolk, and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Moving-Picture Machine, of which the following is a speciiication. 4

My invention relates to moving picture machines, having means for protecting the ilmfrom heat in case of any accident.

The object of my invention is to provide automatic means whereby a douser plate may be moved into the path of a light directed through the moving picture machine, at a point away from the ilm operating mechanism.

A further object is to provide in such a machine means ,whereby said automatic mechanism may be operated from the film, so that the douser may be made operative when the film breaks or whenever it fails to pass through the machine.

A further object is to provide in such a machine means for automatically operating the fire shutter whenever the film fails to travel properly through the iilm controlling mechanism.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter' more fully set forth, lpointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, 'in which:

Figure 1 shows a vertical sectional view through. the film controlling mechanism of a moving picture machine. The condenser case, douser and operative mechanism being shown in side elevation in said igure. Fig. 2 shows a detail view of part of the mechanism for controlling the douser. Fig. 3 shows a front elevation of the condenser case and the denser. Fig. 4 shows a top or plan view in detail of a portion of the douser controlling mechanism. Fig. 5 shows a detail view of aportion of the shutter controlling mechanism. Fig. 6 shows a side elevation in detail of the tire shutter, and mechanism connected therewith. -Fig. 7 shows a detail sectional view taken on the y line 7-7 of Fig` 5. Fig. 8 shows a detail sectional view 'taken on the' lineS-S olf Fig. 9, and Fig. 9 shows a detail sectional .'iew taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

In the exemplification of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally the members of the supporting frame of the film controlling and operating mechanism of a moving picture machine. Suitably mounted on the frame members 10, is a top feed sprocket 11, and intermittent feed sprocket 12, and a. lower feed sprocket 13, which may be of the ordinary types well known in the art.

Above the fire shutter, hereinafter mentioned', is a shield 14 of ordinary construction. The film 15 is threaded over the sprockets in the ordinary way, and is held in position by the guide rollers 16, 17, 18, 19, e1, and 22. i

Pivotally mounted on the shaft 23, which carries the sprocket 11 at a point between its ends, is a lever 24, one end of which carries a roller 25, extended into the ath of the upper loop A of the film 15. ivoted to the other end of the lever 24 is a downwardly extending link 26. Pivoted between its ends on the machine is a lever 27; one end of which is pivoted to the link 26. Pivoted on -the other end of the lever 27 is a downwardly extending rod or link 28. The parts now being described may be .similar to the parts described in my Patent Number 1,111,767, issued September 29, 1914.

Suitably pivoted on a stud 29 is a rearwardly extending arm 80, to which ispivoted the lower end of the link 28. Formed or mounted on the arm 30 is a substantially vertical loop 31. Pivotally mounted on the stud 29 is a bell crank lever having a downwardly and forwardly extending arm 32, on the end of which is a roller 34, `which extends adjacent to the path of the film 15 when the parts are in normal position. On the rearwardly extending arm 33 of said bell crank lever, is a weight 35, whereb the arm 32 is normaily held at the forward position of its movement. It will be understood that the parts j-ust described may be 'of any kind or construction for yieldingly holding the arm 32 adjacent to the film 15. On the arm 33 is a pin 36 which travels in the loop 31, so that movement of the arm, 32 may aiect the arm 30. Ordinarily the arm 82 is held against upward and forward movement in the machine, by the film 15, while the latter is passing through the machine.

Pivotally mounted with relation to the l of the switch 45.

lower end of the arm 82 is a rearwardly eX- tending rod 37 the rear end of which is slidably mounted in a block 38, and is capable of slight tilting movement therein. rlhe arm 32 is held rearwardly by the film, and is adapted to swing forwardly across the path of the film with the rod 37 directly in such path, when the lilm breaks Oris removed from the machine. llt will then be necessary to move the arm 32 rearwardly to its proper position before another film can be passed or threaded through the machine. lt will readily be seen that when the arm 32 tilts forwardly, and the arm 33 moves downwardly a certain distance, the pin 36 will engage the loop 31 and move the arm 30 downwardly. f

Pivotally mounted on the frame is a bell crank lever having a downwardly and for w'ardly extending arm 39, which carries a roller 40 and a forward eXtendingarm 41, on which is a lateral extension 42 which eX- tends over the top of the arm 30. The roller 40 is received within the, lower loop B of the iilm. between the intermittent sprocket 12, and the lower feed sprocket 13.

Pivotally connected with the arm 30 is a link 43. Suitably mounted is a switch board 44, on which is pivoted aswitch member 45. Suitably mounted in the board 44 is a contact point 46, adapted to be engaged by one end of the switch 45 in one position thereof. Mounted in the board 44 are contact points 47 and 48, 'both being engaged by the other end of the switch in di'erent positions of its movement. llt will be understood that the switch is ofl suitable conducting material.

Suit'ably located is a source of electric energy 49, connected by a wire 50 with a motor 51. rlhe source of power 49 is connected by a wire 52 with the pivotal point rThe wire 50 and the contact point 48 are connected by a wire 53. Connected with the wire 53 is a light 54. The motor 51 is connected by a wire 55 with the contact point 47. rlhe contact point 46, and the wire 52 are connected by wires 56 and 57 with a suitable magnet 58. A combination switch 59 is connected with the wires 56 and 55, so that by manually operating the switch 59, a break can be made in the wire 55, while the wire 56 Ais continuous, or a break can be made in the wire 56 while the wire 55 is continuous. The ordinary moving picture machine is used in connection with a lamp or light housed in a lamp house 60, on which is a condenser case 61, from which the light is projected through the aperture 62 upon and through the ilm.

The douser which l shall describe may be made in a number of ways, and mounted in any way that is desirable. ln the particular douser which ll have shown as exemplifying one form in which my invention may be embodied, an arm 63 has on one end the atrae-ea handle 64 and on the other end the plate 65,

said arm being pivoted between the plate and the handle. The arm 63 is provided with a collar 66, which is mounted on the rotatable shaft 67. The collar 66 is provided with a notch 68. Slidably mounted adjacent to the collar 66 is a bar 69, one end of which is designed to be received within the notch 68 when the plate 65 is in its raised position as shown in Fig. 3.

Suitably pivoted is a. bell crank lever 7 0, one arm of which is pivoted to the bar 69. Pivoted to the other arm of the bell crank lever is a depending rod 71, the lower end of which carries a head 72, capable of being attracted by the magnet 58. rl`he lower end of the rod 71 is mounted in a guide 73. Above the guide 7 3, mounted on the rod 71 is a collar 74. Between the collar '74 and the guide 73 is a coil spring 75, adapted to hold the rod 71 at the upper limit of its movement, for holding the bar 69 against the collar 66. l/TVhen the magnet 58 is 'energized the head 72 is attracted and drawn downwardly, thereby withdrawing thel bar 69 from the notch 68 and permitting the plate to drop downwardlyto position for covering the opening 76 in the front of the condenser case.

For operatively connecting the parts which are controlled from the film with the fire shutter 77, the following mechanism is provided: As shown the iire shutter 77 is hinged at its upper edge, but it may be mountedin any way, so -as to be movable from open position to position for closing the light aperture 62. As shown, the shutter 77 is mounted on a shaft 78. Fixed on the shaft 78 is a curved arm 79. On the shaft 80 extending transversely through the upper portion of the machine is a friction disk 81, operatively connected with an arm 82, the movement of which is partially controlled and guided and limited by the link 83. ln its operation the arm 82 engages the arm 79 and raises the fire shutter 77. This mechanism for raising the fire shutter is of ordinary construction commonly used in moving picture machines, and will not be further described.

0n the end of the shaft 80 opposite the .friction disk 81 is loosely mounted the pinion 84 in mesh with the pinion 85. rl`he pinion 85 is run from the mechanism which operates the machine. Mounted on the shaft 80 are two disks or collars 86 and 87 spaced lfrom each other. rlhel collar 87 is mounted on the shaft 80 adjacent to the pinion 84. Slidably mounted on the shaft 80 between the collars 86 and 87 is a sleeve 88 having at one end pins 89 designed to eX- tend through openings in the collar 87 and into the openings 90 in the pinion 84. Formed on the other end of the sleeve 88 are similar pins 91, designed to extend into openings 92"1 in the collar 86. i The sleeve is yieldingly held in position toward the gear 84 by means of a coil spring 92. It will be understood that any suitable clutch construction maybe used.

Suitably mounted in bearings 94 on the frame is a rock shaft 95, on which is fiXed an arm 96 having bifurcated arms or fingers 97 which receive between them the sleeve 88. Fixed to the rock shaft 95 is .an arm 98, shown by dotted .lines in Fig. 5, extending into the machine and pivotally connected at 99 with the link 28, or otherwise suitably and operatively connected with the mechanism which is controlled on the film. It will be seen that when the link 28 is moved downwardly the shaft 95 will be rocked for causing the arms 97 to engage the flange 93 for moving the sleeve 88 against the pressure ofthe spring 92, until the pins or fingers 89 are withdrawn from the openings 90, thereby throwing the gear 84 out of gear with the shaft 80, and stopping the movement of the friction device 81, and permitting ythe shutter 77 to drop to its closed position.

In view of the description heretofore given of the operation of the various parts when the loops are taken up, or 'when the taut portion of the film is released, it will be unnecessary to again describe the movement of said parts in detail.

It will be understood that the shortening r of the film loops A or B or the breaking of the film or any other accident which would release the tension on the portion of the film 15 between the rollers 21 and 22 and the lroller 13, would result in moving the link 28 and the consequent releasing of the mechanism which holdsthe shutter 77 open.

In the practical operation of my improved moving picture machine, it will be readily seen that when the parts are installed, and the electric circuitv is connected, as shown in Fig. 1, the machine may be run, and while the film is in normal condition no trouble will occur. If, however, the sprocket holes in the film should be torn out so that the film fails to run properly, and either or both the loops are taken up, the result will be as follows: I-f either loop is taken up the link 28 would be lowered, thereby moving the switch 45 from the position, shown, to the position in contact with the points 46 and 48. This would out out the motor and complete the circuit through the magnet 58, thereby releasing the douser. At the same time a -circuit is completed through the device 54 which may be an audible on visible signal such as a bell or light. It should be understood that my douser controllingr and shutter controlling,

mechanism may be used separately or in combination as shown. The same thing would occur if the taut portion 15 should be released, thereby moving the arm 32 forwardly in the machine, and cause the pin 36 to engage the loop 31 and draw the arm 30 downwardly. It is oftentimes necessary for various purposes, to use the motor andl to run the machine after any such accident has occurred', and therefore I have provided the switch 59, which can be operated for making a break in the circuit through the wire 56, so that if the switch is moved back to normal position, the motor can be operated without affecting the douser.

It will be noted that when the switch 45 is moved to contact with the point 48, the light 54 will be thrown on, thereby giving the operator light with which tomake repairs. The switch 59 or some such device is of great importance in the practical operation of a moving picture machine.

KIt will be understood that my machine may be either motor or hand driven, and that the fire protecting mechanism will be effective whether or not a motor is used.

It will be understood that numerous changes may be made in the arrangement and construction of the parts of my improved mechanism without departing from the essential features, and it is my intent to cover by this application any such changes which may be included within thescope of my claims. 1

I claim as my invention` 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having a light aperture and a mechanism for feeding4 the film past said aperture, a movable shutter adapted in one position to cover said aperture, a support for a source of light Y spaced from said machine, a movable douser mounted on said support, means for holding a portion of the film taut, means adapted to norm-ally extend across the path of said taut portion of the film, said last named means being adapted to be held away from its normal position by the taut portion of the film, and means wherebywhen the taut portion of the film is released and said last described means moves to its normal position, said shutter is moved to its closed position and said douser is moved into the path of light between said light supporting means and said light aperture.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having a` light aperture and a mechanism for feeding the films past said aperture, a movable shutter adapted in one position to cover said aperture, a support for a source of light spaced from said machine, a movable douser mounted on said support, certain mechanism including means for maintaining a loop in said film, a movable member extended into the path of said loop, and means whereby when said loop is taken up thereby moving said movable member, said shutter is moved to closed position and said douser is moved into the path of light between said supporting source of light and said moving picture machinec Y 3., ln a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having a light aperture and a mechanism for feeding the films past said aperture, a movable 'shutter adapted in one position to cover said'aperture, a support for a source of light spaced from said machine, a movable douser mounted on said support, and means for operating said moving picture machine mechanism, said moving picture machine mechanism including means for maintaining a loop in the film, a pivoted lever having a portion adapted to stand within such loop, and means operatively connected with said lever whereby if said loopshould be taken up, said shutter 'will be moved to closed position and said douser moved to position in the path of light between the light supporting means and the moving picture machine, and said mechanism operating means will be disconnected with the mechanism of the moving picture machinen et. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having a light aperture, and having mechanism adapted to feed a film past said light aperture, said machine having also a movable shutter adaptedin one. position to close said aperture, means for supporting a source of light, a movable douser designed in one position to stand in the path of light between said light supporting means and said moving picture machine, and means designed to be controlled through a film passing through the moving picture machine, whereby if said film should become broken the shutter will be moved to closed position and said douser dropped into said path of light.

5. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having a light aperture and a movable shutter adapted to drop by gravity to position to cover said aperture, and having mechanism for feeding a film past said aperture, means for holding said shutter in open position when the machine is in operation.,v a lamp house, a vahle douser thereon, adapted to drop gravity to position in the path ofi light between the lamp house and' the moving picti ing said douse:

machine, means for holdin inoperative position, means wfor mairtaining a loop in the film in the moving pic machine, a movable inember having a portion adapted to entend into said loop, and means whereby when said loop is up thereby moving said last described means, said shutter holding mechanism and said douscr holding mechanism are released.

o. In a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine invasore having a light aperture and a movable s h'utter adapted to drop by gravity to position to cover said aperture, and having mechanism for feeding a film past said aperture, means for holding said shutter in open position when the machine is in operation, a lamp house, a movable douser thereon, adapted to drop by' gravity to position in the path of light between the lamp house and the movinil7u picture machine, means "for holding said douser in inoperative position, means for maintaining a portion of the iilm taut in the moving picture machine, a movable member tending normally to stand across the path of said taut portion and held out of' said path by said taut portion when the machine is in operation with a film therein, and means operatively connected with said last means whereby when the taut portion of the film is released and said last means moves across the path of said taut portion, said shutter holding means and said douser holding means are released.,

7. ln a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having a light aperture and a-movable shutter adapted to drop by gravity to position to cover said aperture, and having mechanism for feeding a film past said aperture, means for holding said shutter in open posi-- tion when the machine is in operation, a lamp house, a movable douser. thereon, adapted to drop by gravityv to position in the path of light between the lamp house and the moving picture machine, means for holding said douser in inoperative position, means for maintaining a loop in the iilm in the moving picture machine, a movable member having a portion adapted to extend into said loop, means whereby when said loop is taken up thereby moving said last described means, said shutter holding mechau nism and said douser holding mechanism are released, a source ot power for operating the mechanism of the moving picture machine, and means operatively connected with said member extending into said loop whereiy when said member is moved by the taking up of the loop, said source of power is disconnected firom. the moving picture mechanisin.1

lin a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine i t light aperture and a movable shutter a, apted to drop by gravity to position to cover said aperture, and having mechanism iorfeedinga film past said aperture, means for holding said shutter in open position when. the machine is in operation, a lamp house, a movable douser thereon, adapted to drop by gravity to position in the pat.. ot light between the lamp housev and the moving picture machine, means for holding said douser in inoperative position, means for maintaining a portion of the film taut douser in inoperative position, means douser holding means,

in the moving picture machine, a movable member tending normally to stand across the path of said taut portion and held out of said path `by said taut portion when the machine is in operation with a film therein, means operatively connected with said last means whereby when the taut portion of the film is released and said last means moves across the 'path of said taut portion, said shutter holding means and said douser holding means are released, a source of power for operating said moving picture mechanism, and means `for operatively connecting said source of power with said member adapted to stand in the path of the taut portion of the film whereby when said taut portion of the film is released and said member is moved into the path of said taut portion, said source of power and said moving picture mechanism are disconnected.

9. In a 'device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having a light aperture and a shutter adapted to drop by gravity to position for closing said light aperture, and having a mechanism adaptedto feed a film past said light aperture, and having an intermittent movement producing' mechanism, means for maintaining a loop in the film on each side of said intermittent movement producing mechanism, means for holding said shutter in inoperative position, a lamp house, a douser adapted to drop by gravity to position into the path of the light between the lamp house and the moving picture machine, and means for releasing said shutter holding and said douser holding means, each having a portion adapted to stand in one of said loops,

and each having a portion operatively connected with said last described means, whereby when either of said loops is taken up said releasing means is operated.

10. In a device of the class described, the

combination of a moving picture machine` having a light aperture and a shutter adapted to drop by gravity to position for closing said aperture, means for holding said shutter in inoperative position, means for feeding a film past said light aperture,I means for maintaining a taut portion in a film, a lamp house, a douser thereon, adapted to drop by gravity to position in the path 'of light from the lamp house to the moving picture machine, means for holding si or releasing said shutter holding and said means adapted normall to extend across the path ofsaid taut portion of the film and adapted when the machine is in operation with a film therein to its normal position, and means operative y connected with said last means whereby whe" said taut portion of the lm is released and ing said said last means is moved across the path of said taut portion, said releasing means is operated.

11. In a device of the class described, the combination of a moving picture machine having mechanism for feeding a film therethrough, with a lamp house, a douser thereon, adapted to be dropped by gravity into the path of light betweenthe lamp house and the moving picture machine, means for holding said douser in inoperative position, an electromagiiet adapted when energized to release said last described means, means for holding a portion of the film in the moving picture machine taut, a movable member adapted to normally extend across the path of'said taut portion and adapted to be held away from its normal position by said tautl portion when the machine is in operation, and means operatively connected with said last named means whereby when said taut portion is released and said last named means moves across the path of said taut portion, said electromagiiet is energized.

12. In a device of the class described, the

Vcombination of ajmoving picture machine having mechanism` for feeding a film there-l through, with a lamp house, a douser thereon, adapted to be dropped by gravity into the path of light between the lamp house and the moving picture machine, means for holding said douser in inoperative position,

an electromagnet adapted when energized to i release said last described means, means for maintaining a loop in a film in said moving throu h, with a lamp house, a douser there-.

on, a apted to be dropped by gravity into the path of light between the lamp house and the movin picture machine, means for holdouser in inoperative position, an electromagnet adapted when energized torelease said last described means, said moving picture mechanism including an intermittent movement producing mechanism, means for maintaining a loop in the film above and below said device, separate movable means having portions adapted to extend into the respective loops, and means operatively connected with said separate movable means whereby when either of said loops is taken up, thereby moving either of said last described movable means, said electromagnet is energized.

14. In a moving picture machine, the com- .bination of a mechanism for feeding a film including a top feed and an intermittent .iechanisim a lever pivoted between its` ends Cil having one end adapted to stand normally in the path of a slack loop in a film between said mechanism, a link pivoted to the other end of said lever, means for supporting a source of light, a movable member mounted on said means adapted in one of its positionsv to be held by gravity in the path of light directed from such source of light to said film feeding mechanism, means for normally holding said movable member in position out of said path, and means including a current conducting wire for operatively connecting said link with said holding means, whereby when the end of said lever received within said loop is moved by the hlm upon the taking up of the loop, said holding means is released.

15. In a moving picture machine, a lm feeding device, including an intermittent and a take up feed mechanism, a lever pivoted between its ends having one end adapted to be within a loop of lm between said last two mechanisms, means for supporting a source bf light, a movable member thereon adapted to be held in the path of light directed from said last named means toward said film feeding device, means for holding said movable member in position out of said path, and means including a current conducting wire for operatively connecting said lever with said holding means, whereby when said lever is moved by the taking up of the loopof said film, said holding means is releasedH l 16., in a moving picture machine, a film feeding mechanism including means for holding a portion of a film taut, a lever adapted to be held in one position by said taut portion of a film, and adapted when said taut portion is releasedtomove to another position, means for supporting a Lirama source of light, amovable member supported thereon and adapted to normally be held in the path of light directed from said light supporting means through said film vfeeding mechanism, means for holding said movable member in position out of said path, and means including a current conducting wire for operatively connecting said holding means with said lever whereby when said taut portion of the film is released, said lever drops by gravity, as above described, and said holding means is released.

17, in a moving picture machine, a film feeding mechanism, including means for holding a portion of a hlm taut, a lever adapted to be held in one position by-said taut portion of a film and adaptedwhen said taut portion is released to move to another position, means for supporting a source of light, a movable member supported thereon and adapted to normally be held in the path of light directed from said light supporting means through said film feeding mechanism, means for holding said movable member in position out of said path, and means for operatively connecting said holding means with said lever whereby when said taut portion of the film is released, said lever moves as above described, said holding means is released, said last described means including a flexible current conducting wire and thus being of such nature as to be readily adjusted for use, regardless of the `distance of said'film feeding mechanism from said means for supporting a source .of light.

Des Moines, llowa, November 20, 1914- DELBERT O. SEAMAN Witnesses A, SHERMAN, J. Maman 

